PN PROGRAM

The PN PROGRAM is approved by the Michigan Board of Nursing
(since November 1970). The program consists of 21-25 semester
credits of general education requirements and 23 semester
credits of nursing course requirements. These courses provide
the basis for an in-depth study of the theory and nursing care
of adults, children and families. Clinical experiences include
extended care facilities, hospitals, and community agencies
where students provide nursing care to geriatric, medical,
surgical, maternity and pediatric patients.

Graduates earn a certificate from Lansing Community College
and are eligible to take the National Council Licensing
Examination - Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). Those who pass the
examination are entitled to practice as Licensed Practical
Nurses (LPNs).

LCC's nursing program has had continuous accreditation since
1971. The program consists of the PN Program described above
with an additional 9-11 semester credits of general education
requirements and 21 semester credits of nursing courses.

Lansing Community College offers several delivery options in
a Career Ladder Program in Nursing. Graduates who successfully
complete the first year of the program earn a certificate and
are eligible to take the National Council Licensing
Examination-Practical Nurse (NCLEX-PN). Those who pass the
examination are entitled to practice as Licensed Practical
Nurses (LPNs). Graduates who successfully complete the second
year of the program earn an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences
and are eligible to take the National Council Licensing
Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). Those who pass the
examination are entitled to practice as Registered Nurses (RNs).

Admission Requirements

All admission procedures for the Career Ladder Nursing
Program are coordinated through the Admissions Office, which has
responsibility for distributing, receiving, and dating
application forms. Therefore, any student desiring admission
into this program may complete the
Selective Admissions
application and submit it as per the instructions on the
application. After the application has been completed and
submitted, the student may contact a Selective Admissions
specialist at (517) 483-1200 or
selective_admissions@lcc.edu or a college advisor (517)
483-1904 for further information.

This is a selective admission program. Students meeting
Admission Requirements will be ranked for admittance into the
program using a point value system as outlined in the seminar
packet. Points will be awarded to students who meet the
Admission Requirements only at the time students are being
considered for admission.

The student applicant is responsible for providing
verification of any other information not contained in the
current Lansing Community College official transcript.
Prerequisites and other admission requirements must be completed
and verified by the Admissions Office by the deadline stated in
the advising guide before a student is considered eligible to
compete for a seat in the nursing program.

Lansing Community College is committed to excellence in
education and is an Equal Opportunity college. Discrimination on
the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex,
height, height, marital status, handicap, or sexual orientation
is prohibited.

Please refer to the following documents for complete
information regarding Lansing Community College's Nursing
Program admission.

Students who plan to apply to the nursing program must attend
a mandatory Pre-Nursing Advising Seminar. Click
Here to see scheduled
dates. Students MUST read the Nursing Advising Guide THOROUGHLY
BEFORE attending a seminar.

Career Facts for Registered Nursing (RNs)

Nature of Work

Registered nurses (RNs) work to promote health, prevent
disease, and help patients cope with illness. They are advocates
and health educators for patients, families, and communities.
When providing direct patient care, they observe, assess, record
and report symptoms, reactions, and progress; perform treatments
and examinations; start IVs; administer medications; and assist
in convalescence and rehabilitation. RNs also develop and manage
patient plans of care; instruct patients and their families in
proper care; and help individuals and groups take steps to
improve or maintain their health.

Hospital nurses form the largest group of nurses. Most are
staff nurses, who provide bedside nursing care and carry out
medical regimens. They also may supervise licensed practical
nurses and nursing aides. Hospital nurses usually are assigned
to one area, such as surgery, maternity, pediatrics,
orthopedics, emergency, mental health, intensive care, or
treatment of cancer patients. Some may rotate among departments.
Office nurses care for outpatients in physicians' offices,
clinics, surgical centers, and emergency medical centers. They
prepare patients for and assist with examinations, administer
injections and medications, dress wounds and incisions, assist
with minor surgery, and maintain records. Some also perform
routine laboratory and office work.

Nursing home nurses manage nursing care for residents with
conditions ranging from a fracture to Alzheimer's disease.
Although they often spend much of their time on administrative
and supervisory tasks, RNs also assess residents' health
condition, develop treatment plans, supervise licensed practical
nurses and nursing aides, and perform procedures such as
starting intravenous fluids.

Home health nurses provide periodic services to patients at
home. After assessing patients' home environments, they care for
and instruct patients and their families. Home health nurses
care for a broad range of patients, such as those recovering
from illnesses and accidents, cancer, and childbirth. They must
be able to work independently, and may supervise home health
aides. Other nurses work in public health, occupational health,
industrial settings, research and academia.

Skills You Need

One must possess scientific knowledge, interpersonal skills,
and a high energy level to succeed in nursing. The ability to
communicate and interact effectively with people is essential.
Nursing also requires manual dexterity to deal with the
technical demands in the profession. Managerial and critical
thinking skills are vital for effective organization and
clinical reasoning.

Employment Prospects

Registered nursing is one of the 10 occupations projected to
have the largest numbers of new jobs. Job opportunities are
expected to be very good. Thousands of job openings also will
result from the need to replace experienced nurses who leave the
occupation, especially as the median age of the registered nurse
population continues to rise.

Expected Earnings

Median annual wages of registered nurses were $62,450 in May
2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $51,640 and $76,570.
The lowest 10 percent earned less than $43,410, and the highest
10 percent earned more than $92,240. Median annual wages in the
industries employing the largest numbers of registered nurses in
May 2008 were:

Employment services

$68,160

General medical and surgical
hospitals

63,880

Offices of physicians

59,210

Home health care services

58,740

Nursing care facilities

57,060

Many employers offer flexible work schedules, child care,
educational benefits, and bonuses. About 21 percent of
registered nurses are union members or covered by union
contract.

Career Facts for Licensed Practical Nursing

Nature of Work

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), care for the sick, injured,
convalescing, and handicapped, under the direction of registered
nurses or physicians. (The work of registered nurses is
described below.)

Most LPNs provide basic bedside care. They take vital signs
such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration.
They also prepare and give injections, apply dressings, and
insert catheters. LPNs observe patients and report adverse
reactions to medications or treatments. They may collect samples
from patients for testing and perform routine laboratory tests.
They help patients with bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene,
feed them and record food and liquid intake and output, provide
comfort measures, and care for their emotional needs. In states
where the law allows, they may administer prescribed medicines
or start intravenous fluids. Some LPNs help deliver, care for,
and feed infants. Some experienced LPNs supervise nursing
assistants and aides.

LPNs in nursing homes, in addition to providing routine
bedside care, may also help evaluate residents' needs, develop
care plans, and supervise nursing aides. In doctors' offices and
clinics, including health maintenance organizations, they may
also make appointments, keep records, and perform other clerical
duties. LPNs who work in home health may also prepare meals and
teach family members simple nursing tasks.

Employment Prospects

Job prospects for LPNs are expected to remain very good, as
employment in health care grows much faster than it has in the
past. Because of this growth, the number of new graduates needed
will be well above the number graduated in recent years. Nursing
homes will offer the most new jobs for LPNs.

Skills You Need

LPNs should have a caring, sympathetic nature. They should be
emotionally stable because work with the sick and injured can be
stressful. As part of a health care team, they must be able to
follow orders and work under close supervision. One must possess
scientific knowledge, interpersonal skills, and a high energy
level to succeed in nursing. The ability to communicate and
interact effectively with people is essential. Nursing also
requires manual dexterity to deal with the technical demands in
the profession. Managerial and critical thinking skills are
vital for effective organization, problem solving, and
coordination.

Expected Earnings

Median annual wages of licensed practical and licensed
vocational nurses were $41,540 in May 2012. The middle 50
percent earned between $34,990 and $48,380. The lowest 10
percent earned less than $30,970, and the highest 10 percent
earned more than $57,360. Median annual wages in the industries
employing the largest numbers of licensed practical and licensed
vocational nurses in May 2012 were:

Home health care services

$43,920

Nursing care facilities

43,570

Continuing care retirement communities and
assisted living facilities for the elderly

The courses provide the basis for an in-depth study of the
theory and nursing care of children, adults, and families.
Clinical experiences include hospitals, home health care
agencies, rehabilitation units, and community health
organizations where students provide nursing care to mental
health, medical, surgical, maternity, and pediatric patients.
Students are responsible for applying beginning leadership
skills in supervising members of the health team. Student
learning experiences progress from simple to complex and use
critical thinking skills in applying the nursing process to the
care of patients. Graduates earn an Associate Degree in Applied
Sciences from Lansing Community College and are eligible to take
the National Council Licensing Examination - Registered Nurse
(NCLEX-RN). Those who pass the examination are entitled to
practice as Registered Nurses (RNs).

2-year/four-semester track with classes and clinical
sessions meeting mornings and/or afternoons during the fall and
spring semesters. This track is designed so that the student has
class 4-5 days/week and completes the program in two years.

Non-Traditional Tracks:

3-year/eight-semester track with classes and clinical
sessions meeting mornings and/or afternoons. All semesters are
16 weeks, except the summer semesters which are 10 weeks in
length. This track is designed so that the student has class 2-3
days/week and completes the program in three years.
*International students with F-1 Visas are not eligible for this
track. (Historically, of the four nursing tracks, the
3-Year/8-semester track has been the last choice by students.
Given the current economic challenges and the trend of choosing
the 3-Year/8-semester curriculum last over the other tracks, the
admission cycle for the 3-Year/8-semester curriculum may change
in the future. Students will be notified, prior to the selective
admission deadline, of any changes.)

Advanced standing to RN track is designed for practical
nurses, respiratory therapists, and paramedics (including those
who were certified as EMT-Paramedics prior to 2002) who hold
unrestricted current Michigan licensure and have work
experience. Classes and clinical sessions meet mornings and/or
afternoons for three semesters beginning with a 10-week summer
session, then continue through fall and spring semesters.

2nd degree accelerated track is designed for individuals who
possess a Bachelor's, or higher degree, in any major. Classes
and clinical sessions meet mornings and/or Afternoons and/or
weekends. This track begins in mid-September, continues through
spring, summer and fall, with completion in December of the next
year.

Classes in all tracks meet face-to-face and some are on-line
sessions. The non-traditional options consist of more hybrid
classes which are a combination of face-to-face and on-line.

Tuition Information

Tuition is payable at the time of registration
for each semester, and is subject to change by
action of the Board of Trustees. Tuition
Rates beginning Fall 2014.

In-District

$ 85.00

Out-of-District

$170.00

Out-of-State

$255.00

International

$298.00

Student Nurses Association (SNA)

SNA was established in the Fall of 1983 for the
purpose of uniting nursing students and providing a
cohesive source of support during their studies at LCC.

SNA members work together with fellow students to
become active in the community and on campus, in
promoting health and wellness. Students enrolled in the
nursing program can become members.

JOIN SNA

New members always welcome. SNA usually meets every
other Tuesday at 11AM. Information about activities and
upcoming events can be found on Angel Site- Nursing
Careers-Announcements. Cost is $6 per year. Applications
can also be found at the Angel-Nursing Careers-SNA site.
Turn in completed applications into the nursing office
(HHS 108).

Other Links

Job Resource Center allows students access to the
scholarship application and employment information from
academic health centers, including details about new
grad training programs, internships, and externships.

Scholarships

Information regarding available scholarships for nursing
students (alphabetical order)

A Nurse I Am Scholarship

A Nurse I Am Scholarship is available via their website at
www.ANurseIAm.com, where instructions for applying can be
found.

AAMN Foundation Scholarships for Men

American Assembly for Men in Nursing (AAMN) Foundation and
Johnson & Johnson's Campaign for Nursing's Future have partnered
to offer a $1,000 scholarship program for male students pursuing
professional nursing education programs. These scholarships are
intended to support male students who are seeking a pre-RN
licensure or graduate degree in nursing. Go to
http://aamn.org/scholarships.shtml for further information
and application materials.

Sladek Nursing Scholarships and Critical Medical Career
Scholarships

FAQ

1. What makes Lansing Community College's Nursing Program
distinctive?

High regard in the community.

A ladder program concept.

Four program options.

Nationally accredited.

2. Are there advising sessions available?

There are MANDATORY pre-nursing advising sessions scheduled
throughout the year for students who are interested in applying to
the nursing program. Current session dates can be found at:
lcc.edu/advising/seminars/. Prior
to attending a seminar students are required to thoroughly read the
current Nursing Advising Guide which can be found at:
lcc.edu/nursing/nursing/

3. When does the program start? When do I apply? How many students
are admitted? How long does the program last?

The program offers four tracks: traditional 2-yr; non-traditional
3-yr, advance standing to RN, and 2nd degree options. Regardless of
the track the student chooses, the discipline of nursing requires a
full time commitment of study.

Semester
Program
Begins

Application
Deadline

# of Students Admitted

Program Length

Comments

2-Year Track

Fall - August

March 1st

64

4 semesters
(excluding Summer)

Classes, labs and clinical sessions for all options vary
between days, evenings, and weekends.

2-Year Track

Spring - January

March 1st

64

4 semesters
(excluding Summer)

3-Year Track

Fall - August

March 1st

32

8 consecutive semesters

Advanced Standing Track

Summer - June

March 1st

32

3 consecutive semesters

2nd Degree Track

Fall - September

March 1st

32

14 months

*Attempts are made to offer courses in the afternoon,
evening and weekends.

4. What prerequisites do I have to take? When do they have to be
completed?

5. What if I want a four year degree?

If you plan to articulate to a four year institution, it is
suggested to review the requirements of the BSN completion
curriculum of the institution you are considering.

6. What if I already have a B.S. or a B.A. degree?

Please see the 2nd Degree Track information below.

7. What is the difference between the 2nd Degree Track and the
Advanced Standing to RN Track Program?

The 2nd Degree Track requires that the applicant have a Bachelor's
degree. The degree can be in any area. All prerequisites, including
general education and NURS 200, must be completed before starting
the 2nd Degree Track. The nursing courses vary from 6 to 8 weeks in
length. The track is 14 consecutive months. Some of the coursework
is online, with lab on campus and clinical hours in the Lansing and
surrounding areas.

The Advanced Standing to RN Track requires that the applicant be a
licensed paramedic, LPN or Respiratory Therapist. All prerequisites
must be completed before starting the program. After the Transition
Class summer semester, the student enters the equivalent of the
second year of the nursing program. This is hybrid, with at least
50% of the learning online. This track is 3 consecutive semesters.

8. How do I know if courses will transfer as prerequisites?

Official transcripts must be mailed directly from prior school(s) to
the address below. Following transcript evaluation confirmation of
transferable credits will be sent to the student.

9. How do I apply if I am not a Lansing Community College student?

To pick up at application, student can go to Enrollment
Services,
Gannon Building-Suite 203.

To have an application mailed, call: (517) 483-1200 or (800)
644-4522 x1200

10. I am currently a Lansing Community College student -- how do I
apply?

Students will receive a packet of information at the MANDATORY
pre-nursing seminar.

Application for the Nursing Program is found in the seminar
packet.

11. What does the Admission Committee look for in an applicant?

Admission to all tracks of the Nursing Program are based on a point
system. The point system is found in the seminar packet. All tracks
require all prerequisite requirements to be completed. In all
tracks, the students with the greatest number of points are
admitted.

12. Who should I call for advising?

Students who need additional advising should contact Counseling and
Advising, Room 204 of the Gannon Building, or call (517) 483-1904
for additional information.

13. How much does the program cost?

Current tuition rates are $85.00 per billing hour for residents and
$170.00 per billing hour for nonresidents. The out-of-state student
tuition rate is $255.00 per billing hour and international student
tuition rate is $298.00 per billing hour. There is a registration
fee each semester of $25.00. Additional fees are listed on the
specific program advising guide.

15. Is housing available?

The Student Life Office often posts offerings but Lansing Community
College has no formal housing assistance available. To access the
Student Life home page, please click
here.
Student Life Office Location: Gannon Building-252.04
Mail Code: 1170
Phone: (517) 483-1285studentlife@lcc.edu

16. Is there a waiting list to get into your program?

No. We use a "selective admission" process based on a point system.

Students for the 2-year and 3-year tracks, who have completed
admission requirements may apply to be in the applicant pool for the
March 1 deadline; however seats are based on the highest point
scores.

Students applying to the Advanced Standing to RN track must have all
prerequisites completed by March 1st and those with the most points
are awarded the seats.

The 2nd Degree track students must have all prerequisites completed
by June 1st and those with the most points are awarded the available
seats.

Approximately 10 students will be placed on an "alternate list" in
the 2-year and 3-year tracks. The remaining students that qualified,
but did not have enough points to get a seat, will be sent a letter
stating they did not make the cut off and may work to earn more
points and apply for admission the next year if they so choose.

17. How are the GPA points calculated?

The GPA is not your overall college GPA. It is calculated solely on
the courses required for the Nursing Program. To calculate your GPA,
use the worksheet provided in the Nursing Advising Guide.

18. If I am accepted, what next?

Once you are accepted, you will receive a letter inviting you to a
mandatory orientation meeting. Following that orientation session,
you will sign a letter of intent to either accept or decline your
seat in the program.

19. Can I have a job while I am a nursing student?

Many of our students work part-time. We definitely do not recommend
more than 20 hours a week. If you must work, you will need a strong
support system. The expectation of the Accelerated Program is to
limit all outside work.

20. What is the typical student profile of a nursing student at
Lansing Community College?

The average age of a Lansing Community College nursing student is
currently 28.8 years. Students range from 19 to 54 years of age.
Most students are married or divorced and have children at various
stages of development. More than 50% work part-time in other jobs.

21. Why should I choose an AD Nursing Program at Lansing Community
College versus going directly into a BSN program?

Cost - community colleges are less expensive.

Learning Style - The technical nurse program is more hands-on
along with theory, so you can apply what you are learning as you go.

More Options - You have the option of exiting after one year to
become an LPN or two years to become an RN -- if you can't manage
two years at one time, you can exit and return within two years into
the 2nd year of the program.

22. If I want to go on for a BSN at a later date, how feasible is
this?

Lansing Community College's Nursing Program articulates with eight
or more universities in Michigan. You can complete your BSN by
completing approximately two more years at one of these
institutions. A link to some of these universities is available on
the Useful Links
web page.

23. What might be the reasons for not choosing Lansing Community
College's Nursing Program?

For the younger student, who does not have outside family
responsibilities, the after class socialization is not the same as
at the four year universities. College is often a "right of passage"
for the late adolescent and that socialization is not a major focus
of the older student in our program.

Information For Returning LPN's(Advanced Standing Track)

1. If I want to enter Lansing Community Colleges Nursing Program, do
I have to start from the beginning?

You will have to meet the LPN program prerequisite course
requirements. Often these will transfer from your previous college.
Click here to find more information on our
Advanced Standing to RN Track web page.

It is our goal to articulate the LPN into the 2nd year (3rd
semester) of our program when he/she returns for his/her RN degree.
All returning students are required to take NURS 210 - LPN to RN
Transition 2 Course.

2. How do I enroll as an LPN articulation student?

Students who need additional advising should contact Counseling and
Advising, in the Gannon Building-Suite 204, or call (517) 483-1904
for additional information. Your prior course work will be evaluated
and a plan of study will be developed for you.

A key component in maintaining physical independence is the
promotion of regular foot care and the prevention of
potentially debilitating foot injury or loss of function.
Early detection and management effect a difference between
limb-threatening complications and a return to full
potential. Healthy feet are a prerequisite for balance and
stable ambulation. Immobility can be considered a strong
risk factor in predicting systemic diminution of physical
and psychological health.

Role of the APN

Foot care is an integral part of optimal health maintenance;
and historically a missed opportunity. Many nurses possess
limited assessment skills and minimal clinical expertise in
dealing with lower extremity care. Many are unaware that
foot care is within the scope of nursing practice. Indeed,
the ability to differentiate normal changes from
pathological threat and detection of problems followed by
initiation of appropriate care and ongoing patient education
is integral with nursing and the promotion of health.

The value of the advanced practice nurse (APN) in providing
expert knowledge, coupled with strong decision making skills,
enables the APN to function in a number of roles. As a
facilitator, the APN may coordinate teaching-learning
opportunities that enhance reciprocal learning. The role of the
advanced practice nurse in primary care is multidimensional. The
American Nurses' Association's (ANA) former Council of Nurses in
Advanced Practice defines the APN as (cited in Hickey, Ouimette,
& Venegoni):

Nurses in advanced clinical practice have a graduate degree
in nursing. They conduct comprehensive health assessments,
demonstrate a high level of autonomy and expert skill in the
diagnosis and treatment of complex responses of individuals,
families, and communities to actual or potential health
problems. They formulate clinical decision to manage acute and
chronic illness and promote wellness. Nurses in advanced
practice integrate education, research, management, leadership,
and consultation into their clinical role and function in
collegial relationships with nursing peers, physicians and
others who influence the health environment (p.22). This
definition clearly illustrates the multidimensional nature of
the APN.

Clearly, the value of a standardized protocol for lower
extremity assessment and care by nurses should not be minimized.
In a study of 6 nurse practitioners, Fain & Melkus (1994) found
documentation of foot exams in 23% of charts reviewed. Despite
lack of written adherence, in a 1989 NIH survey, over 80% of
primary care providers indicated performance of foot,
neurological and circulatory exam in diabetic patients one or
more times per year. Results of a 1990 study by Hempel suggest
that use of a flow sheet and nurse-managed patient education
clinic significantly enhances compliance and documentation to
standards in a diabetic population.

Pelican et al. ( 1991 ) reports in the Journal of
Gerontological Nursing, the inception of a nurse run well foot
care clinic, with the development of an assessment tool,
instructional videotape and informational brochure. Kelechi and
Lukacs (1996), both Master's prepared nurses, recognizing foot
care as an "integral part of the promotion and maintenance of
health" (p. 722) have devised "comprehensive lower extremity
assessment, hygiene and nursing interventions that address
problems associated with toenails and skin. It also includes
patient and/or caregiver education and the identification of
complications that need to be referred to a physician or
specialist." It is the purpose of this project to develop for
practitioners an assessment and documentation protocol, along
with a self-directed teaching-learning module to deliver foot
care in a geriatric non-traditional setting.